(Posted November 27, 2005)

Juniata 88, Allegheny 75

Meadville, Pa. ? The Juniata College men?s basketball team used a strong second-half defensive effort to turn a one-point deficit into a 13-point win as the Eagles topped Allegheny College 88-75 in the consolation game of the National City Holiday Tournament at Allegheny Sunday afternoon. The victory improved the Eagles to 3-2, while Allegheny is now 2-2.

The game was tight through much of the second half until a Juniata run mid-way through the half helped the Eagles take control. With the score tied at 65, the Eagles went on a 13-2 over a five minute stretch to pull out to an 11-point lead. Steve Holencik (Moshannon Valley/Ramey) had a basket and a three-point play during the stretch as the Eagles defense forced four turnovers during the stretch and held the home team without a field goal for nearly eight minutes of the second half.

Juniata held Allegheny to 33 percent shooting in the second half and allowed just seven field goals in the final 20 minutes. After claiming the 11-point edge, the Eagles got a pair of late baskets from Brian Cannon (Fallston/Fallston, Md.) to help seal the win.

Travis Boyd (Juniata Valley/Baree) scored 23 points to lead Juniata, the second time this season he?s topped 20 points. He also recorded his second ?double-double? of the year.

The Eagles were forced to come from behind in the first half as Allegheny used a 10-0 run to take a 25-14 lead with 13:43 left in the first half. A basket from Kyle Opitz (Pine-Richland/Gibsonia) halted the run and sparked a 10-0 Juniata spurt that quickly cut the lead back to one. The home team would extend the lead to as much as nine later in the half, but the Eagles closed the half on a 10-2 run featuring a pair of threes and a basket from Boyd that sent Juniata into halftime trailing by just one.

Cannon finished with 18 for the Eagles, marking his fourth-consecutive game with at least 18 points. Jeff Byer (Conemaugh Twp./Davidsville) and Brent Ferko (Freeport/Sarver) each added 10 points for the Blue and Gold. Tommy McConnell (Bishop Guilfoyle/Hollidaysburg) paced Juniata with six assists.

Casey McCloskey led four Allegheny players in double figures with 18 points while passing out a team-high five assists. Ben Torsney scored 14 points for the home team while Ryan Hollihan scored 13 while adding nine rebounds and four blocks. Bill Babe chipped in 11 points.

Juniata opens its conference schedule on Wednesday as the Eagles host Susquehanna.

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